Apparatus for washing or treating materials



Dec. 4, 1934. w F. TRAUDT 1,983,155

APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR TREATING MATERIALS Filed Feb. 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 4, 1934. w. P. TRAUDT 1,983,155

APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR TREATING MATERIALS Filed Feb. 16, 1954 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Fig.5.

M/I ENTO/V.

,4 TTOKWE )(6.

Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNETE' STATES rice arsr APPARATUS FOR WASHING R TREATING MATERIALS 11 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for washing or treating materials such, for example, as pulp or the filter mass which is used in breweries for filtering beer or other beverages. While the apparatus is primarily designed for washing such materials, it is also adapted for washing, mixing or otherwise treating other materials in a fluid condition ormixture. 1

One object of the invention is to produce an apparatus of simple and. relatively inexpensive construction which can be operated economically with the minimum consumption'of power, and by which filter mass and other materials'c'an be efliciently washed or renovated expeditiously and materials in a fluid condition or mixtures can be effectively agitated and mixed.

Other objects of the-invention are to construct the apparatus so that different portions of the fluid material at different 'levels'in the washing or treating tank, and'which may differ in density, will be thoroughly agitated and mixed so as to insure the greatest efficiency; also to provide an apparatus having" a pump for circulating the fluid through the treating tank, with adjustable means for'regulati'ng the agitation of the fluid in the tank, as may be necessary, depending upon the character of the material being treated and the results desired; and also toprovide washing and treating apparatus for the purposes mentioned which'has the other features of improvement and advantage hereinafter described and set forth inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawings: 7

Fig. l is an'end elevation,-partly'in section, of a washing apparatus for filter mass or analogous material embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof."

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section thereof.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation, enlarged, showing the adjustable support for one of the baffles or agitators.

Fig. 5 is a plan view thereof. r

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation on line "66,' Fig. 3, showing the centrifugal pump or fluid circulator.

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan View on line 7-7, Fig. 1. showing the discharge nozzle of the fluid circulator.

10 represents the washing or treating tank, which is preferably of vertical, cylindrical form or of circular horizontal cross section with a dished or centrally depressed bottom 11. This tank may be mounted on any suitable legs or supports 12.

13 represents the fluid circulator, which may be a centrifugal pump of known, non-clogging type comprising a casing having a central suction inlet at one side and a peripheral outlet, and a rotary impeller preferably comprising twoblades 60. projecting more or less radially from opposite sides of the impeller shaft. A suction head or connection 14 connects the pump inlet with a suction stand pipe or tube 15 which extends centrally up within the tank 10, and the outlet or discharge of the pump is connected by a dis charge pipe '16 with a discharge nozzle 1'7, by which the fiuid circulated by the pump 13'is delivered more or less tangentially into the tank 10 at one side thereof. This discharge nozzle may be located higher or lower depending upon the specific gravity and density or other physical properties of the material handled. The pump or circulator 13 may be driven by any suitable means, such for instance by an electric motor 18, the armature shaft of which is coupled to the impeller shaft of the circulator.

l9 and'ZO represent respectively cold and hot water or steam supply pipes equipped with suitable supply regulating valves 21 and 22 and pref- S0 e-rably connected, as by a common pipe 23, with the suction head 14 so that water at regulated required temperatures can be supplied to the material circulated by the pump or circulator 13 before the entrance of the material into the pump, thereby S5 insuring a thorough mixing of the water with the material. The suction or stand pipe 15 within the tank 10 connects at its lower end with and forms an upward extension of the suction connection 14 within the tank, and the suction pipe or conduit thus formed communicates with the bottom central portion of the tank, as by inlet openings 24 in the fitting connecting the stand pipe with the suction connection 14. At its upper end, the suction or stand pipe 15 isprovided with an adjustable upper inlet, preferably formed by an upwardly flaring-funnel 25 which is vertically adjustable on the stand pipe so that the inlet opening formed by the mouth or open upper end of the funnel can be adjusted as desired, to different heights with reference to the level of the material in the tank. As shown, the funnel is adapted to telescope on the upper end of the stand pipe and is secured in adjusted position thereon by a set screw 26 passing through a threaded hole in the side of the funnel.

At its upper portion, at one side, the tank is provided with an overflow box or chamber 27 which communicates with the interior of the tank through an opening in the side of the tank covered by a statically balanced overflow screen 29. The liquid overflowing from the tank through the screen is adapted to discharge from the box 27 through a suitable overflow pipe 30, and the overflow box is preferably provided at its bottom with a valve controlled drain or cleanout pipe 31.

One or more bafiles or agitating plates or blades are arranged in the tank 10. Three such plates 32, 33 and 34 are shown in the drawings, those shown being of three diiTerent forms, any one of which may be employed. Each baiiie projects inwardly from adjacent the cylindrical wall of the tank and is preferably mounted so that it can be adjusted to extend radially inward or at more or less or" an angle to the radial, and also so that the baffle can be set at different elevations in the tank. For this purpose, as shown, each bafiie is fixed to a vertical rod or stem 35 which extends through a guide 36 on an arm 37 secured in any suitable manner on and projecting inwardly from the top rim of the tank 10. The baille stem is adapted to be turned and slid vertically in the guide 36 and secured therein in its vertical and angular adjustment, as by a set screw 38 passing through a threaded hole in the guide 36 and engaging the stem. The latter is preferably provided with a handle 39 at its upper end for adjusting the stem 35 either rotatably or vertically in the supporting guide.

In the use or" the apparatus, the tank is filled to the proper level with the filter mass, or other material to be treated, and water, which latter may be supplied at the required temperature from the cold and hot water or steam supply pipes. When the circulator or pump 13 is set in operation, it will draw the water and filter mass or fluid mixture from the tank through the suction pipe 15 and connection 14 and intimately mix the material and discharge it through the pipe 16 and tangential nozzle 17 into the tank, the mixed water and material being thus circulated repeatedly through the tank and circulator. The inlet at the upper end of the suction stand pipe 15 is adjusted so as to be below the level of the fluid mixture in the tank so that the pump will draw the difierent portions or strata of the fluid mixture through the upper inlet 25 and the lower inlet 24 in the suction pipe whereby the upper and lower strata of the fluid mixture which, in the case of filter mass and analogous materials, are of difierent densities, will. be thoroughly mixed and circulated by the pump or circulator 13. During this circulation of the fluid mixture, the soiled water will overflow through the screen 29 into the overflow box and discharge through the pipe 30. The foam which forms on the surface of the fluid mixture in the tank will be drawn through the upper inlet into the suction pipe with some of the lighter fluid from the upper portion of the tank and thus will be eliminated by dilution with the fluid material and prevented from accumulating in the top of the tank. The discharge of the fluid mixture into the tank through the tangential discharge nozzle 1'? causes a horizontal rotation or whirling of the body of fluid mixture in the tank, and due to the centrifugal force thus produced, the peripheral portions of the rotating body of fluid mixture tend to rise or creep upwardly on the interior cylindrical face of the tank so that the surface of the mixture is more or less depressed at the central portion of the tank in the vicinity of the upper inlet of the suction stand pipe. By adjusting the baiiies 3234 vertically to the proper level in the tank, it or they will more or less impede the rotation of the top portion of the whirling body of fluid mixture and will lessen this tendency to depress the central portion of the surface of the fluid mixture and thus prevent possible depression of the central portion of the surface below the upper inlet of the suction pipe. The bafiies also act to impede more or less the circular motion. of the fluid mixture in the tank, deflect it toward the suction pipe and produce eddies therein, and thereby effect an active and efiicient agitation and mixing of the materials constituting the fluid mixture. Furthermore, in the case of materials, such as filter mass, this action of the baffles in interrupting the continuous rotary motion of the fluid mixture in the tank prevents the material from balling or forming balls or knots which are a source of serious annoyance in filter mass. t will be understood that one or more of the bafiies may be employed and it or they may be of any of the forms shown or of any suitable form, and it or they may be adjusted angularly and vertically to secure the highest efficiency of the apparatus. When more than one bafiie is used they may be set at different elevations or angles.

When the washing or treatment of the material has been completed, the material may be discharged from the apparatus and delivered to a container or other more or less distant apparatus by closing a valve 40 provided in the discharge pipe 16 of the circulator and opening a valve 41 provided in a branch pipe 42 leading from the pipe 16 to the desired point of delivery of the material. The suction connection 14 is also preferably provided with a valve controlled bottom discharge pipe 43 through which, if desired, the material may be discharged by gravity to a required distant point or apparatus. This discharge pipe may also serve as a drain or washout.

The described apparatus is als'd useful for other purposes, such as for agitating or mixing fluids or solids in fluids, and also for washing materials where it is desired to save the solutions, in which case the overflow opening would be unnecessary and could be closed or eliminated. For instance, the apparatus can be used for removing chemical or valuable substances or coloring matter in or adhering to solid materials, and the water containing these in solution saved and further treated for their recovery. Examples of such use would be the recovery of silver from the coatings of film clippings, or the extraction of products from pulpy substances. Other modifications of the construction herein disclosed are comprehended by my invention. For example, the tank could be steam-jacketed should it be necessary to boil the material during its treatment.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for treating materials comprising a tank adapted to contain the material in a fluid mixture. a circulating pump for the fluid mixture having a suction pipe extending up in the central portion of the tank and provided with an inlet at the bottom portion of the tank, and a discharge pipe delivering into the tank in a direction to cause a horizontal rotary motion of the fluid mixture in the tank, and an inlet member which provides an upper inlet for the suction pipe and is adjustable to place said upper inlet at diiierent elevations, whereby portions of the fluid mixture of different densities can be circulated and mixed.

2. An apparatus for treating materials comprising a tank adapted to contain the material in a fluid: azet e r a. cir ulatin uma ton thefluid; avi a su ion n ne estendma unx the centrals port on o the tank an rpreyidede i h an nlet st that bottom; portin of; the; ank, and: a dis ha e-nine deliveri mp the arflsin a ta cause.- a; horizon a lrota-tr mmin of the fl d mixturein he: amulet which provides an upper inlet for the suction pipe andgis, adiustahletnplaca said upper inlet at different elevations, whereby portions of the fluid mixture of different densities can be circulated and mixed, and a bafiie in the tank for deflecting the fluid mixture towards the center of the tank.

3. An apparatus for treating materials comprising a tank adapted to contain the material in a fluid mixture, a circulating pump for the fluid mixture having a suction pipe extending up in the central portion of the tank and provided with an inlet at the bottom portion of the tank, and a discharge pipe delivering into the tank in a direction to cause a horizontal rotary motion of the fluid mixture in the tank, an inlet member which provides an upper inlet for the suction pipe and is adjustable to place said upper inlet at different elevations, whereby portions of the fluid mixture of different densities can be circulated and mixed, and a battle in the tank for deflecting the fluid mixture towards the center of the tank, said bafiie being adjustable to difierent elevations in the tank and also angularly to vary its deflecting efiect.

4. An apparatus for washing pulp and analogous materials comprising a tank adapted to contain the material in a fluid mixture and having 'an overflow outlet for the soiled fluid, a pump constructed to circulate the fluid mixture and having a suction connection with the bottom portion of the tank, and a'discharge pipe for delivering the fluid mixture into the tank in a direction to cause a horizontal rotary motion of the fluid mixture in the tank, and an inlet member which provides an upper inlet for said suction connection at the upper central portion of the tank and is adjustable to place said upper inlet at different elevations, whereby portions of the fluid mixture of diiierent densities can be circulated and mixed.

5. An apparatus for washing pulp and analogous materials comprising a tank adapted to contain the material in a fluid mixture and having an overflow outlet for the soiled fluid, a pump constructed to circulate the fluid mixture and having a suction connection with the bottom portion of the tank, and a discharge pipe for delivering the fluid mixture into the tank in a direction to cause a horizontal rotary motion of the fluid mixture in the tank, an inlet member which provides an upper inlet for said suction connection at the upper central portion of the tank and is adjustable to place said upper inlet at diiferent elevations whereby portions of the fluid mixture of different densities can be circulated through the pump and tank and thus mixed, and a bafile in the tank for deflecting the fluid mixture toward the center of the tank.

6. An apparatus for washing pulp and analo gous materials comprising a tank adapted to contain the material in a fluid mixture and having an overflow outlet for the soiled fluid, a pump constructed to circulate the fluid mixture and having a suction connection with the bottom portion of the tank, and a discharge pipe for delivering the fluid mixture into the tank in a direction to cause a horizontal rotary motion of the fluid; manure-Em, he; an. in et ember: which provides an upper inlet for $3 M ducting onnection; at; central; portion; o th tank and: is; adiustahle haulage:- seid: up er: nlet: at; dinerentw. elevations whe ebx por ions oi; the fluids mixtu edif esent den itiea cant be,- circa. atedthmuea hezpumnand aakzand hus-mixedr and a halite the. tank for deflect n the. fluid; raiatmetoward.- the cen er? of: he; tank-. sai sba fin being adjustable to different positions in the tank for regulating the agitation of the material.

7. An apparatus for washing pulp and analogous materials comprising a tank adapted to contain the material in a fluid mixture and having an overflow outlet for the soiled fluid, a pump constructed to circulate the fluid mixture and having a suction connection with the bottom portion of the tank, and a discharge pipe for delivering the fluid mixture into the tank in a direction to cause a horizontal rotary motion of the fluid mixture in the tank, an inlet member which provides an upper inlet for said suction connection at the upper central portion of the tank and is adjustable to place said upper inlet at different elevations, and a baffie in the tank extending inwardly at an angle to the wall of the tank for deflecting the fluid mixture toward the center of the tank, said baffle being adjustable vertically and also angularly in the tank to regulate the agitation of the material.

8. An apparatus for washing pulp and analogous materials comprising a tank of substantially circular horizontal section adapted to contain the material in a fluid mixture and having an overflow outlet for the soiled fluid, a pump constructed to circulate the fluid mixture and having an open ended suction pipe extending up in the central portion of the tank and provided with an inlet at the bottom portion of the tank, and a discharge pipe delivering substantially tangentially into the tank, and an inlet funnel which is telescopically adjustable vertically on the upper portion of said suction pipe to place the open inlet end of the funnel at difierent elevations.

9. An apparatus for treating materials comprising a tank of approximately circular horizontal section adapted to contain the material in a fluid mixture, a circulating pump for the fluid mixture having a suction connection provided with a lower inlet at the bottom central portion of the tank, and a discharge pipe delivering approximately tangentially into the tank in a direction to cause a horizontal rotary motion of the fluid mixture in the tank, and an inlet member which provides an upper inlet for said suction connection in the central portion of the tank at an elevation above the lower inlet, whereby portions of the fluid mixture of diilerent densities can be circulated and mixed.

10. An apparatus for treating materials comprising a tank of approximately circular horizontal section adapted to contain the material in a fluid mixture, a circulating pump for the fluid mixture having a suction connection provided with a lower inlet at the bottom portion of the tank, and a discharge pipe delivering approximately tangentially into the tank in a direction to cause a horizontal rotary motion of the fluid mixture in the tank, an inlet member which provides an upper inlet for said suction connection in the central portion of the tank at an elevation above the lower inlet, whereby portions of the fluid mixture of different densities can be circulated and mixed, and a baffle in the tank for imof and agitating the the fluid mixture into the tank in a direction to cause a horizontal rotary motion of the fluid mixture in the tank, and an inlet member which providesan upper inlet for said suction connection at the upper central portion of the tank, whereby portions of the fluid mixture of difierent densities can be circulated and mixed.

WILLIAM F. TRAUDT. 

